Steve Sweigart

The book of Judges speaks of a time in the story of the Old Testament nation of Israel that every man did that which was right in his own eyes (Jud 17:6). This verse comes in the middle of a story that reflects the sorry state of spiritual confusion that existed at that time. The main character in the story is a man named Micah. Ironically, his name meant “who is like God.” Yet, despite his name, either through ignorance or because of deception, Micah mixed idolatry into his worship.

Revival movements in history have been catalysts of movement and change in the church. What lessons can we learn from the most recent one in North America?

First, let’s take a look at the national scene at the beginning of the Brunk revivals. They began in 1951, 6 years after the end of WWII. It was also 2 years after the nationally publicized Billy Graham campaign in Los Angeles. Mennonites had begun moving off the farm into more service type work. Interest in higher education was on the rise. Mennonites and society were becoming more wealthy and prosperous than ever before. There was an increased interest in foreign missions.

On December 21, 1620, a small band of Pilgrims landed on the shore of what is now Massachusetts. It was wintertime, and they had little food and no houses. more than half of the group died in that first terrible winter.